Soleil

“So tell me, Draco, what’s got you so preoccupied?”

Lucius Malfoy gracefully lowered himself into his favorite wingback chair in the salon adjoining the entry hall of Malfoy Manor. On a sofa near the fireplace sat his only son and heir.

“Father, you do read the Prophet every day?”

“The Financial and Obituary pages. Please explain.”

Leaning forward, Lucius levitated the cocktail glass of brandy to his son, making a point to keep it steady.

“Then you should recall that Ronald Weasley was killed in a raid on Rookwood’s Keep. Had a bit of a gambling problem; he’s into Zabini for 50k.”

Lucius Malfoy, head of his own multinational conglomerate, understood the difficulty a debt of 50,000 galleons [£250,000] would leave for Ron’s widow.

“I’ve talked to Zabini but he’s still pissed at Ron’s interference with Ginny. Took it pretty hard when she went back to Harry Potter.”

Stretching on the sofa, Draco extended his long legs as he leaned back to stare at the ceiling and ran his long fingers through the receding hairline he’d inherited from the Blacks.

“Potter’s vault at Gringott’s must hold sufficient —”

“Potter doesn’t know and Hermione forbade me telling him. Won’t matter in thirty days because Zabini is threatening to make the debt public if Hermione doesn’t advocate for him with Ginny. Seems Weaslette and Potter are struggling again in their marriage.”

“I’m surprised you’re not taking more pleasure in this situation. You had no love for Molly dullest child.”

“Not after what Astoria and I went through to have Scorp. Hermione’s been a good friend to us both… Kept me sane through all those treatments. We wouldn’t have Scorpius without Hermione's potions work. I’m just not sure what to do. Zabini’s being a right bastard about it…”

“He’s in love with a woman he can’t have and he’s been hurt.” Lucius considered aloud.

“Well, I’ve got to pick up Scorp from Hermione’s. See you at dinner.”

Draco moved towards the floo, aware his father had drifted from the conversation.

Several hours and another gourmet meal later, Astoria ascended the steps to their suite in the Manor, leaving the Malfoy men — including a sleeping Scorpius — to the evening after making her apologies.

“Is everything alright?”

The grin communicated more than the words that followed.

“Astoria’s pregnant. Two months. We’re keeping it quiet…”

Even Lucius suffered through the four miscarriages the couple endured.

“Understandable. I’ve thought a bit about your friend, Mrs. Weas—”

“—Granger. She’s gone back to Granger; they’re too many Mrs. ‘Weasleys’—”

“—Ms. Granger, then. I’ve given some thought to her problem and wanted to suggest a course of action to you…”

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Gamble

1 oz apricot brandy

3/4 oz Mandarine Napoleon® orange liqueur

1/2 oz sweet sherry

1 oz mango juice

3 tbsp vanilla ice cream

Blend briefly with half a glassful of crushed ice. Serve in a wine goblet.